Display technologies, like TVs, monitors, and laptops, use advanced technology to give the best viewing experience possible. This technology ranges from the type of display resolution to providing excellent color and contrast to being energy efficient.
Two display technologies that have created buzz for the past couple of years are 4K UHD and QLED TV. This article will discuss what they offer consumers, and which is better.
1. What is 4K UHD?
4K UHD refers to display technologies having a particular type of resolution, that is, 3840×2160 pixels. It is several notches higher than Full High-Definition. Many consider it the best resolution for various media content, ranging from films and games to documentaries.
For this reason, many produce media content that is compatible with 4K resolution. Even those on media platforms and filmmakers try to capitalize on the more excellent resolution afforded by 4K UHD.
The technology behind the creation of 4K IHD display technologies varies. Some use backlighting, while others use a unique illumination process to create images on the screen.
Whatever the case, 4K UHD is a giant step from the throwback days of low-resolution TVs and monitors and even from FHD. This innovation led to an immersive experience in entertainment, films, gaming, and advertisements.
4K UHD display technologies become in demand, whether for personal use, competitive gaming, or business. The result is the proliferation of many 4K UHD display technologies. Those 4K UHD TVs have varying degrees of efficiency in providing an aesthetic, immersive experience.
There is also significant variation in prices; some are relatively less expensive, while others command a very steep price.
2. What is QLED
QLED, meanwhile, is a particular display technology that improves lighting on a display technology by using quantum dot nanocrystals. QLED stands for “quantum dot light emitting diode. QLED uses backlighting to illuminate those quantum dots, generating images with richer textures and vibrant colors.
The result is fantastic image quality that makes for an immersive viewing experience. The wide range of colors, superb color contrast, and advanced technological features such as HDR, which automatically adjusts the contrast, combine to create display technology ideal for various purposes, like watching and gaming.
Despite their different nature, 4K and UHD have basic similarities that people most often confuse one over the other. But what are those similarities?
3. 4K UHD and QLED: Similarities
Display Resolution
Almost all QLED TVs have a resolution of 4K, but there are also others with a higher resolution, but they are rare and costly. 4K UHD, meanwhile, is available in many display technologies, not just QLED.
However, we are talking about pixel display here; QLED has the same number of pixels as 4K UHD. In general, QLED has almost the same image quality and clarity as 4K UHD, if not better.
Vibrant Color and Precision Imaging
Since they have identical display resolution, precise imaging is nearly identical. The number of pixels allows them to generate beautiful images with all the finer details on the display screen.
4K resolution is an improvement from past versions of High-Definition, and it is generally more colorful and brighter than other display technologies of lower resolution. That is axiomatic; a higher resolution means greater attention to detail, more life, and richer image texture.
As such, there are nuances between 4K UHD and QLED. However, both are better than other display technologies in giving viewers that aesthetic high.
Backlighting
Many 4K UHD TVs, especially LCD ones, use backlighting for illumination and image processing, while some LEDs do not. QLED is a particular case among LED TVs: it utilizes backlighting to illuminate the screen.
4. 4K UHD and QLED: Differences
For most people, the generalities shared by 4K UHD and QLED TVs can lead to nearly the same viewing experience. For the eagle-eyed and certain aesthetes, people in business, and gamers, the nuances are significant, and the differences are so great that they can impact the aesthetic effects and the immersive experience.
Specific Technology
4K UHD employs various technologies for imaging and illumination. Thus, LCD TVs employ panels such as TN (twisted nematic), VA (vertical arrangement), and IPS (in-plane switching). Other display technologies are OLED, AMOLED, and QLED.
As mentioned earlier, QLED uses specific technology. Its development is due to improving certain aspects of 4K UHD. Though it uses backlighting, a fixture in many 4K UHD display technologies, other aspects of QLED, like using quantum dots and nanotechnology, are particular to this display technology.
Enhancing Aesthetics
4K UHD TVs generate brighter colors for their images and are brighter than QLED TVs. That is mainly due to the technology used to illuminate the screen. The position of backlights and the process by which they generate images, like those in LCD panels, are the reasons for those nuances in colors and brightness.
Standard 4K UHD TVs may be brighter, but QLED produces more vivid imagery, thanks to backlight and quantum dots. With the introduction of HDR in newer versions of QLED TVs, you can take the aesthetic experience to a new, higher level.
Older display technologies can only display what the original content contains. With HDR (High-Dynamic Range), QLED TVs can adjust the contrast, the dark and the white, resulting in more vivid images.
This feature makes QLED TVs different from standard 4K UHD ones. However, other factors can further enhance or mitigate the aesthetic effect.
Size
4K UHD TVs come in all sizes, from 19 inches to 90 inches, but the median of 40 is the size in which you can optimize the viewing experience in 4K. The size of the TV, your distance, and the nature of the media content itself may impact the immersive experience.
Most QLEDs are of enormous variety, with many measuring 90 inches. The ability to produce vivid imagery due to the specific technology we mentioned allows for the same aesthetic experience, regardless of size or distance.
Price
4K UHD TVs range from very inexpensive to expensive. That is due to the specific technology employed and the size of the display. However, as a rule, 4K UHDs are inexpensive than QLED and other display technologies using specified advanced technologies
QLED TVs are among the more expensive ones. That is due to the specific technology employed and the size of the display technology.
Most QLED TVS are from famous brands and leaders in manufacturing display technologies. Small companies that can produce 4K UHD TVs do not necessarily have a QLED due to the restrictions in technology, copyright, and prohibitive production costs.
5. What to Buy?
The idea that led to the development of QLED was the need for a 4K UHD TV that differed from the rest. Therefore, we can only expect QLED to give us a better aesthetic, immersive experience.
But having more means paying more. Because of the sophisticated technology and materials behind it, a QLED TV can give a different vibe than most 4 K UHDs. It might also be enormous, which will undoubtedly add to the cost.
However, if you want a display technology that you can enjoy and do not care much about the nuances of color, contrast, and brightness, then 4K UHDs might be your thing. They are relatively inexpensive, even if you buy them from the leading brands or manufacturers.
In terms of energy efficiency, QLED is more energy efficient, in part because of the LED technology employed. However, it is less energy efficient than the LED family’s OLED and others.
QLED uses backlights and, therefore, consumes more energy. Depending on the duration and how often you use the QLED, the difference in energy efficiency between it and the average 4K UHD TV may be insignificant.
Buying a 4K UHD TV or a QLED one will ultimately depend on balancing your desire for a better aesthetic, immersive experience, and affordability. But this decision will also ultimately depend on one vital factor: space.
QLED TVs are more extensive; they need space and a proper location for maximum aesthetic effect, an immersive viewing experience, and a place to put them.
4K UHDs, on the other hand, are available in smaller sizes. If you have limited space or do not need a large one, a 4K UHD TV is the practical choice.
We at LEDSINO can help you decide whether to buy a 4K UHD TV or a QLED one. We can explain the similarities and nuances of each in detail and give you the best option possible.
6.Final Thoughts
Leading manufacturers offer many varieties of 4K UHD TVs. All of them can give you the aesthetic experience you want when watching a particular content. They come in different sizes; some can be relatively inexpensive, while others are high-end and pricey.
QLED TVs give you a more nuanced viewing experience. It has some similarities with most standard 4K UHDs but can give you a more immersive experience due to its technology, which gives excellent contrast, leading to vivid imagery.
What you need and what is considered practical will determine whether you should go for one over the other.
